New program will fold rewards, instant approvals, and biometric security into the OnePay app for millions of U.S. shoppers.
The world’s largest retailer is getting back into the credit‑card game. Walmart confirmed it will launch a new co-branded card this autumn in partnership with its majority‑owned fintech OnePay, consumer‑lender Synchrony and the Mastercard network.
The move revives a Synchrony relationship that ended in 2018 and aims to give Walmart’s 240 million weekly customers a faster, mobile‑first way to finance purchases and earn perks.
Why Walmart is betting on an all‑digital credit card experience for shoppers
Executives say embedding the card directly inside the OnePay app will let buyers apply, get approved and begin spending “within seconds,” whether in‑store, online or via Walmart Pay.
Omer Ismail, OnePay’s CEO, calls the goal “transparent, rewarding and easy to use,” while Walmart CFO John David Rainey argues it will help shoppers “save money and live better” by bundling payments with personalized offers.
How the OnePay Mastercard aims to blend rewards, Security, and instant use
Although full rewards details are still under wraps, insiders expect instant cash‑back on everyday essentials, exclusive rollbacks for Walmart+ members and early‑access promotions. On the back end, the card relies on encrypted payment tokens and biometric authentication—think Face ID or fingerprints—to reduce fraud without extra steps.
Love the convenience? Many shoppers will—yet some still prefer cash. That raises the next big question: will low‑income or credit‑averse customers sign on, or stick with debit and greenbacks?
What regulators and cash‑preferring consumers should watch in the months ahead
Because the card must comply with the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act, Walmart and Synchrony will have to disclose fees and annual percentage rates in plain language. Analysts also point to the need for clear opt‑outs on behavioral‑data usage as the program blends shopping history with credit underwriting.
Just Announced: Fast Food Giant to Open Inside Walmart Near Checkout Areas
Still, market pressure is mounting; Amazon already offers 5 percent cash‑back with Chase, and Target’s RedCard still delivers a 5 percent in‑store discount.
If Walmart’s fall debut hits the right balance of value and transparency, rivals could be forced to raise their own rewards—or risk losing loyal basket spend.
This “all‑in‑one” card could reshape how millions of Americans pay—and borrow—at the country’s busiest checkout line. Keep an eye on the fine print this summer, then decide whether tapping your phone for instant savings beats swiping a traditional card.
